Which Call of Duty Games Did NOT Have Zombies?
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The popular Call of Duty franchise is known for its diverse gameplay modes, with the zombie mode being a fan-favorite. However, not every title in the series has featured this undead onslaught. The simple answer is that many of the early games and those developed by Infinity Ward have historically excluded Zombies mode, emphasizing a more realistic and grounded experience. This article will delve into which Call of Duty titles specifically lacked this mode, and why, while also exploring common questions fans have regarding the inclusion of zombies in the series.
Call of Duty Games Without Zombies
To be clear, the zombies mode is primarily associated with games developed by Treyarch. So, when looking at which Call of Duty titles did not have zombies, the focus shifts towards games developed by other studios, primarily Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, especially in the early years of the franchise.
- Call of Duty (2003): The original Call of Duty, set in World War II, focused entirely on a historical single-player campaign and a traditional multiplayer experience. There was no zombie mode to be found.
- Call of Duty 2 (2005): Continuing the World War II setting, Call of Duty 2 also followed the same route as its predecessor, featuring a single-player and a traditional multiplayer mode. No Zombies here either.
- Call of Duty 3 (2006): Although later versions introduced “Nightmares”, which is a re-telling of the campaign with zombies, the original Call of Duty 3 was only single-player and traditional multiplayer. The “Nightmares” mode does not constitute the standard Zombies mode, that the franchise is known for.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007): This title, a significant shift to a modern setting, was pivotal in reshaping the franchise. However, Modern Warfare (2007) solely focused on its groundbreaking single-player campaign and its highly popular traditional multiplayer, excluding Zombies.
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008): While this game did introduce zombies, it was an additional mode and therefore, does not meet the criteria of a Call of Duty game without Zombies.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): Following the success of the first Modern Warfare, the sequel again omitted any zombie modes, sticking to the grounded realism narrative that Infinity Ward was trying to build.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011): The third game in the original Modern Warfare trilogy continued the trend, with a compelling single player campaign and multiplayer but no Zombies.
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013): Ghosts introduced a new survival mode called “Extinction,” which featured aliens instead of zombies. While this shared some gameplay similarities to the Zombies mode, it was not a zombie mode as we know it.
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014): The introduction of exoskeletons was the focal point here. While it included a separate “Exo Zombies” mode through DLC, the base game did not have zombies.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): This reboot of the Modern Warfare series again chose to emphasize a more grounded and realistic experience, opting out of a zombie mode in the original release.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022): Similar to its predecessor, Modern Warfare II focused on realism and did not include a standalone Zombies mode in the initial release.
- Call of Duty: WWII (2017): While this game did have Zombies, it was an additional mode and therefore, does not meet the criteria of a Call of Duty game without Zombies.
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021): Similarly to WWII, Vanguard did have a Zombies mode but it was an additional mode and not the primary focus of the game, therefore, it does not meet the criteria of a Call of Duty game without Zombies.
Why the Exclusion of Zombies?
The absence of zombie mode in certain Call of Duty titles is usually due to creative and narrative choices. Infinity Ward, particularly, has often stated its preference for realism and authenticity. They believe that zombies detract from the believable atmosphere they aim to create. This is in direct contrast to Treyarch‘s approach, who have always embraced the more fantastical and supernatural elements, making them the primary developers of the popular Zombies mode.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the presence (or absence) of the Zombies mode in the Call of Duty franchise:
1. When was the first Zombies Mode in Call of Duty?
The Zombies mode was first introduced in Call of Duty: World at War (2008), developed by Treyarch. Initially a hidden bonus mode, it quickly gained popularity and became a staple in many subsequent Call of Duty titles.
2. Does Every Treyarch Call of Duty Have Zombies?
Yes, generally, every Call of Duty game developed by Treyarch has included a Zombies mode, solidifying its identity as the main studio for this mode. This includes games in the Black Ops series and World at War.
3. Why Did Infinity Ward Exclude Zombies From Their Games?
Infinity Ward has stated that they believe zombies don’t fit the narrative or tone they aim for in the Modern Warfare series. They prefer a more realistic and grounded experience based on real-world scenarios.
4. Did Call of Duty: Ghosts Have a Zombie Mode?
No, Call of Duty: Ghosts did not have a traditional Zombie mode. Instead, it featured “Extinction” mode, where players battled aliens.
5. Does Black Ops 4 Have a Campaign?
No, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 did not have a traditional single-player campaign. It focused on Multiplayer, Zombies, and Blackout (a battle royale mode).
6. Which Call of Duty Introduced “Nuketown”?
The iconic map “Nuketown” was first introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) and has appeared in several subsequent Black Ops titles.
7. Why was Zombies removed from Call of Duty Mobile?
Zombies mode was removed from Call of Duty Mobile because it didn’t meet the desired quality standards and the mode received criticisms for having limited maps and weapons.
8. Is Zombies Coming Back to Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, Zombies has recently returned to Call of Duty Mobile as part of seasonal updates.
9. Will Modern Warfare III Have Zombies?
Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is confirmed to feature a Zombies mode, marking the first time zombies appears in the Modern Warfare universe in this manner.
10. How is the MW3 Zombies Mode Different?
The Zombies mode in Modern Warfare III is expected to be different from traditional round-based Zombies and instead is taking inspiration from the Outbreak style of zombies from Black Ops Cold War.
11. Is “Extinction” Mode the Same as “Zombies”?
No, “Extinction” mode from Call of Duty: Ghosts is a separate cooperative mode focusing on aliens, while Zombies mode features the undead and has unique gameplay mechanics.
12. Does Call of Duty: WWII Have Zombies?
Yes, Call of Duty: WWII included a Nazi Zombies mode, focusing on a dark horror story, within the game as a mode, however it’s focus was not as prominent as in some other titles.
13. Will Call of Duty 2024 Have Zombies?
Yes, it is confirmed that Call of Duty 2024 will feature Treyarch’s signature Zombies mode.
14. Why is Black Ops 2 Still So Expensive?
Black Ops 2’s high price is primarily due to Activision’s pricing strategies, where they maintain prices for older titles and apply significant discounts during sales periods.
15. Did any Call of Duty Games get “Exo Zombies”?
Yes, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare had a separate game mode called “Exo Zombies,” as DLC, but was not part of the base game.
Conclusion
While the Zombies mode has become a staple feature of the Call of Duty franchise, especially those developed by Treyarch, many titles, particularly those developed by Infinity Ward and some of Sledgehammer Games in the early years of the franchise, have historically excluded this mode. This is primarily due to a creative choice to focus on realism and grounded narratives. However, recent developments have blurred these lines, as even the Modern Warfare series is beginning to embrace Zombies in some form. This dynamic highlights the evolving nature of the franchise, always seeking to provide unique and engaging experiences for its diverse fanbase. The debate on what constitutes a core element of a Call of Duty game continues, making each new release a topic of great discussion within the community.